{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments at Soule Mama for all to find and see. Wishing you a beautiful weekend!

Monday: James was born on December 28th, so his birthday gets swallowed up in the aftermath of Christmas. A few years back, we decided to give him a birthday party on his half-birthday, the 28th of June, instead of his birthday. This year he wanted a pizza party and I decorated his cake with pirate goodies. They played at the playground behind the pizza place for a little while, but it was too hot to stay long (for the adults, not the kids.)

Tuesday: Since we had missed our art activity on Monday because of the party, we completed our Illuminated Manuscript Covers and they turned out just like I wanted them. Katie got her first pear tomato out of her garden. My father always told me that in Maryland if you got a tomato before the 4th of July that you were doing well. We have been having more summery dinners, like this Roasted Vegetables over Pasta. After dinner we visited dear friends with a goat farm, and the boys got to feed them.

Wednesday: History day was also catch-up day as all the boys are at different places. This is from one of Quentin's pages. June 30th is National Ice Cream Soda Day, so of course we HAD to have them! : )

Thursday morning we usually go to the park and meet friends. All of our friends however couldn't make this week for one reason or another, so the boys just rode their bikes around the neighborhood and then went down to the beach. Katie has become interested in a book that I got out because we are studying the Middle Ages, The Art and Industry of .Sandcastle Quentin found a wonderful fish jaw bone. Our school subject of the day on Thursdays is English, which is done individually.

Friday: Steven had to take Sam to a specialist for seizures. Since it was math day, I decided to play store with them and Katie helped me. I made a raspberry buttermilk cake out of the last of the raspberries on our bush. Topped it with freshly made whipped cream.

Saturday: Steven and the boys went grocery shopping and Katie and I tested out a history craft idea that I plan to do with the boys next week. When the boys got home, they rode their bikes and Katie made 4th of July gfcf cupcakes. The boys are watching Liberty Kids and a Independence Day Magoo special this weekend.

Sunday: Today's activities mostly were cooking, preparing for the 4th of July picnic.

Menu: Hot dogs, Hamburgers and Boca burgers on the grill, corn on the cob, potato salad, cole slaw, Strawberry-pretzel salad, white chocolate dipped strawberries, star shaped watermelon. Quentin dressed up to be a Revolutionary War soldier. We lit sparklers. They went to the fireworks display. They played with glowsticks and braclets. A very happy 4th of July weekend.